Meet The Warriors – Martin Flannery

I was welcomed to the Warriors in June of this year, and it was one of the best decisions I have made. Prior to joining I didn’t know what it meant to be part of a team. I’ve always shied away from team sport, telling myself that “it’s not for me”, and “I’m just not sporty”. I knew a couple of Warriors before I joined and went to see them play in Union cup in Brussels earlier this year. When I saw how the team operated with a competitive but yet supportive and inclusive atmosphere I decided to jump on board. Since joining, as cheesy as it sounds, I have seen big changes in my life. I am a much more confident person, I am more outgoing, and I am much fitter (seeing the results on the scales, and having people comment on my slimmer appearance feeds back into my confidence).

In my opinion there is much more to the Emerald Warriors than just Rugby. The social element is also a key factor. It’s not easy to move to a city and make friends, especially close friends with similar interests, but since I became a Warrior I have made many great friends. I now consider myself part of a team, and what’s more I’m proud to be a Warrior.